From the Assistant Principal
Students are expected to manage multiple subjects, deadlines, and commitments, the latter form the rich tapestry of school life I would argue. However, research consistently shows that many students struggle with organisation, and this has a direct impact on their academic achievement, confidence, and wellbeing. Studies of high school students reveal that disorganisation leads to missed homework, incomplete tasks, and lower grades—even when students understand the content. In previous newsletter articles, I have spoken to the importance of feedback literacy and metacognition which all interlink with organisational skills and the development in these areas will, ultimately, enhance student agency.
Organisation supports memory, time management, and independent learning. When students are disorganised, they lose valuable learning time searching for materials or trying to reconstruct missed work. I would like to highlight that students require the appropriate learning materials for each subject whether they be physical or digital. Working out of one book or notepad for all subjects will create disconnection and no coherent set of notes for formative, summative or end of year examinations. Likewise, it imperative that worksheets are placed in books or filed in specific folders, lockers are not usually the most effective filing system without logical order.
As a school, all subject areas highlight the importance of organisation with the explicit teaching of strategies delivered through Coaching and Success Advisor Sessions. Research highlights that organisation is a learned skill—not a natural ability. Without guidance, students may develop ineffective habits that follow them into the senior VCE years. Importantly, teaching organisation has measurable benefits such as missing fewer assessments, improved preparedness for class, increased academic performance and reduced stress. Similarly, all evidence-informed perspectives show that the home environment can foster organisational skills by reinforcing an established study space, encouraging planning and supporting progress indicators from the school. The research strongly suggests that the greatest impact comes when schools and families work together.
Organisation is often overlooked, but it is a powerful predictor of success. By making these skills explicit, consistent, and embedded in everyday practice, we can help students move from simply coping with school to truly thriving.
Chris Needle
Assistant Principal, Professional Culture